Jacob Volkmann claims he was earning money "barely above poverty" in the UFC

Jacob Volkmann has given an interview & he's not particularly polite about the UFC. Among his complaints are the politics in the UFC, how they prefer stand up fights to ground fights & the pay. He also goes on to discuss Obama, check out the link for that.

Why were you released?I was released after a loss against Bobby Green, which I should’ve never lost. It was kind of a fluke loss, going into the fight sick. I lost and then after that, they cut me. I was 6-2 at lightweight and they still cut me. That was back in February.

Were you expecting to be released?No, no. I said in a few interviews that I did expect it, but I was just playing with the media. I had no idea.How can a fighter go 6-2 and still be released?You tell me. Politics, my friend.Are you at all bitter about how things worked out with the UFC?Very bitter. They always claim that they treat the fighters so well. Yeah, they treat the top five per cent of the fighters well — the ones that are on the main card all the time. They don’t treat the rest of them very well. The healthcare plan is horrible, with a $1,500 deductible per injury — the catastrophic-injury insurance is not even really good insurance. There’s no retirement fund, there’s no signing bonus. You start off at six-and-six, you’re really not making too much money because you’re self-employed, so you’re paying the self-employment tax and you’re paying the regular tax and income tax. So you’re paying twice as much in tax. They claim they’re treating the fighters well, but they’re not, realistically.Do you feel that’s a misconception among fans?Of course … People always tell me, “You’re rich — you’re on TV!” Are you kidding me? I made $54,000 two years ago, paid $9,000 in taxes, so that leaves me with $45,000. This last year, I made $50,000 and paid $8,000 in taxes. That leaves me with $42,000 — that’s barely above poverty. I have three kids and a wife I’m supporting.

Seems like I have a different opinion about what poverty is compared to Volkmann.

2011 - fought 3 times and made 54k
2012 - fought 2 times and made 50k.
And this was all undercard stuff...doesn't seem that terrible to me....

Sorry I don't really feel that bad for someone making that kind of money training and fighting for 45 minutes a year. Is it a grueling sport? Sure...but if you're not cut out for it then don't do it. I mean where else is he going to go and make that kind of money fighting? This is just sour grapes. If you're not that good and can't make the big bucks, maybe you shouldn't be a pro fighter. Don't get me wrong, guys that go in there are warriors and I have nothing but respect.....but not everyone can be a pro sports athlete.

Also 5% of the roster is only 20 guys. You're telling me that only 20 guys get treated well? This guy is absolutely delusional...what a bunch of bulls---.

Pretty much. Nate & Cerrone are always in exciting fights and they never complain about being broke.

Also for Volkmann, his wife doesn't work? So if his wife were to work and make say 30k then he would be fine. The average household makes roughly 50K-80K a year. Cause I'm sure that 42K for a single man is solid.

2011 - fought 3 times and made 54k
2012 - fought 2 times and made 50k.
And this was all undercard stuff...doesn't seem that terrible to me....

Sorry I don't really feel that bad for someone making that kind of money training and fighting for 45 minutes a year. Is it a grueling sport? Sure...but if you're not cut out for it then don't do it. I mean where else is he going to go and make that kind of money fighting? This is just sour grapes. If you're not that good and can't make the big bucks, maybe you shouldn't be a pro fighter. Don't get me wrong, guys that go in there are warriors and I have nothing but respect.....but not everyone can be a pro sports athlete.

Also 5% of the roster is only 20 guys. You're telling me that only 20 guys get treated well? This guy is absolutely delusional...what a bunch of bulls---.

that kind of yearly income could put him pretty close to the poverty line if he has enough dependants.

that kind of yearly income could put him pretty close to the poverty line if he has enough dependants.

Uhh yeah exactly, so find a new job that you can work full time I guess? I do it...every person on these forums does it (I think). Not like he's got all this natural talent to fight and has to be a pro. If I'm only average at baseball I'm not making it to the MLB.

I am sure the guy teaches in his gym too. Probably gives private lessons and seminars, makes a fine few dollars that way, let's not forget the sponsorship deals he has. If he really needs the money that bad then he should fight more frequently or try and win the bonuses. I know he was 6-2 at lightweight but he got finished by Sass who was also cut(terrible cut IMO) and Bobby Green, his best win was Danny Castillo in a snoozer. In fact, Castillo is the only fighter he beat that is still under contract. I have very little pity for him, he seems to just give out about things all the time. Very negative guy. Try be positive about some things ffs.

People arn't really seeing his point letting hate cloud their judgement. Training full time, paying for managers and trainers probably isn't cheap. Yes, he was a boring fighter not to say he finished his fighter before his last loss. I feel for people for put their bodies on the line(when these guys get old they're going to be haggard) for the entertainment of others.

I don't make quite as much as he would have a year then, but then again I don't train full time or put myself at risk of getting brain damage.

People arn't really seeing his point letting hate cloud their judgement. Training full time, paying for managers and trainers probably isn't cheap. Yes, he was a boring fighter not to say he finished his fighter before his last loss. I feel for people for put their bodies on the line(when these guys get old they're going to be haggard) for the entertainment of others.

I don't make quite as much as he would have a year then, but then again I don't train full time or put myself at risk of getting brain damage.

No one is making him do it. If he doesn't like it then he should retire.

You made two negative posts in a row, then troll my comment. Do you really hate Volkmann that much?

I'm not trolling, I actually liked Volkmann at one point but every interview he does is negative, giving out about something or other. Never positive so yeah he gets on my nerves. I like his fighting style though, very technical and skillful.

You made two negative posts in a row, then troll my comment. Do you really hate Volkmann that much?

I kind of do. This guy is completely dishonest. He's crying poor, and demonstrating it by showing middle-class numbers (LOL), not even mentioning his chiropractor practice (assuming that didn't fall through). Which leads to his next obvious deception: he doesn't pay self-employment tax because he's a UFC contractor, he pays it because he is self-employed as a chiropractor.

Maybe he does have a future in politics. He's already learning how to cheery pick certain facts from his life, while omitting relevant other facts, to paint a picture (sob story) that isn't close to the truth.

Thats not even to mention his blatant political hypocrisy. This guy has no credibility.

I'm not trolling, I actually liked Volkmann at one point but every interview he does is negative, giving out about something or other. Never positive so yeah he gets on my nerves. I like his fighting style though, very technical and skillful.

Nothing wrong with disliking someone if there is a reason behind it. I actually do like his grappling though.

I kind of do. This guy is completely dishonest. He's crying poor, and demonstrating it by showing middle-class numbers (LOL), not even mentioning his chiropractor practice (assuming that didn't fall through). Which leads to his next obvious deception: he doesn't pay self-employment tax because he's a UFC contractor, he pays it because he is self-employed as a chiropractor.

Maybe he does have a future in politics. He's already learning how to cheery pick certain facts from his life, while omitting relevant other facts, to paint a picture (sob story) that isn't close to the truth.

Thats not even to mention his blatant political hypocrisy. This guy has no credibility.

When everything adds up he might actually end up being poor having to pay for three kids. Sure it's his own problem and no one should feel sorry for him but he might not be far off. Like someone esle said before he'd probably be making more money if he was an exciting fighter so it's his own fault in all reality that he wasn't get paid as much as he think hes should have been.